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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Author Interview with Ashantay Peters || DEATH STRETCH

She’s leery of
overprotective men—he’s sworn to protect and serve.

When Katie Sheridan’s best friend is blackmailed over an affair
with a yoga instructor, Katie stuffs herself into workout togs to help identify
suspects. Instead of getting fit, she learns yoga can be a killer when the
instructor winds up dead. Worse, Katie is a suspect, and finds herself tangling
with the sexy, commanding cop investigating the case.

Detective Dirk Johnson knows getting involved with a
material witness—especially one as reckless as Katie—means trouble, but his
heart and protective instincts aren’t logical. More than once, she rescues
herself just before he arrives to save the day. Dirk’s not sure he can keep up
with her, but he’ll go down trying.

Blackmail, murder, and adultery teach Katie and
Dirk that love obeys its own laws. With passion as the final reward, they find
fighting temptation is highly overrated.

* * * *

Hi Ashantasy! Do you have a process for coming up with character names and
book titles?

I love double entrendres, probably because I grew up watching
Rocky & Bullwinkle and reading MAD magazine.Death Stretch’s hero, Dirk Johnson’s
name was inspired by the old detective show, Peter Gunn.Because sex couldn’t be portrayed on the
screen then, some of the dialogue written was actually pretty racy. View
Hitchcock’s movie, To Catch A Thief, for example.

What inspired your current book?

My books are inspired by what I
know and like to read. I’m kind of an old hippie though I no longer wear tie-dyed
shirts, and I like writing about alternative cultures and quirky people. Plus,
not too many others write that niche, so my stories are a bit unique.

Please tell us about your current work in progress.

I’m
completing the first round edits on Death Rub, a sequel to Death
Stretch.Contracted by The Wild Rose
Press, I’m hoping it’ll release this year.The heroine is a massage therapist, Maggie Jenkins. Maggie finds her
client dead with no one else in the building. Besides a murder investigation,
Maggie faces money problems, a high school reunion, an old boyfriend returns to
town and she’s being pressured for a deeper relationship by her new love—a man
seven years younger than her. Trouble, lots of trouble.

Do you write with music going in the background? What are some
of your favorite types/bands?

I rarely listen to music when I write, but I did play Led
Zeppelin when I was stuck writing a sex scene for Death Under the Mistletoe.
After hearing Stairway to Heaven five times in a row, I nailed the
scene. (Grin)

Name one person, living or dead, you'd most like to meet.

I’d have liked to meet Katherine Hepburn. Her forthright
personality has always appealed to me, and I like to think she was
unconventional and ahead of her time in many ways.

What is your favorite book genre? Who are your favorite authors?

I write about the contemporary era, but I read mostly Regency
and Victorian romances. However, when I want a break from the carriage set, I
choose contemporary romance, mysteries, steampunk and light paranormal. My
favorite authors include many from The Wild Rose Press lines and Jayne Ann
Krentz/Amanda Quick.

Quick quiz:

Favorite food?Whatever is available when I’m
hungry.

Favorite color? The rainbow – too hard to pick just
one!

Favorite animal?Dolphins.And birds, I love birds.

Biggest pet peeve?Greedy people. Actually, that’s
more a disgust than a peeve.

Dream car?A Tesla, but I’d also like a
hovercraft.Whoosh!

* * * *

Excerpt:

“I told you earlier. You need to be careful.” He released my
shoulders but watched me.

“I can take care of myself.”

Dirk snorted, somehow making his honk sound sexy. “Right.”

“Yeah, right, I can.”

He shook his head. “You'reone
hard-headed woman.” He motioned to Pulaski. “Let's get the bike loaded.”

“Hey, where do you think you're going with my bicycle?”

He pointed to the mangled frame and flat front tire. “You really
think you can ride this?”

Ashantay
Peters loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has
her perusing magazines, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is
often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the
truth. She lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, a happy transplant
from the much colder (and flatter) Midwest.She loves to hear from readers!Give her a holler via one of the links below.

22 comments:

Ashantay, Were we twins in a past life? I, too, am an aging hippie who grew up delighting over the tongue-in-cheek humor of Rocky and Bullwinkle. (I used to torment the people around me by quoting all the puns.) And I, too, have used the incomparable Robert Plant to stir up a mood! Read Death Stretch and loved it! Recommend to anyone who wants a fun and fascinating read.

No Laura - I AM Ashantay's twin - wait, maybe we are triplets! I loved Death Stretch and now I'm super excited for book 2!!! ps - I do a mean Katherine Hepburn (I sang Happy Birthday - ala On Golden Pond as a senior in high school)- LOL

OMG!!! I found my real family!!! I too am an aging hippie. My kids and grandkids wear tie-dye and listen to LZ. That's what they grew up on. Kate Hepburn - my favorite movie is Philadelphia Story. I already have a twin, but I'm taking you all as my sisters. I'm buying Death Stretch now! Good luck and great sales Ashantay.

I love that Mrs. Snark brought us together! Wish I could meet all of you in person. We could have a Roses version of Woodstock. Ha, ha, ha... Oh, wait! That reminds me of a Crosby, Stills, Nash tune. The music is flowing in my head today! Thanks for stopping by, Sandra!

Aging hippies are some of the quirkiest people I know, and so fun!! I'd love to have tea with both you and Katherine Hepburn, she was such an amazing actress. Best of success with Death Stretch and your upcoming release too.The Ocean Between – Romance for the True Romantic

Thanks for the good wishes, Lynda! We actually share the first same name, spelled identically, but I use Ashantay for a variety of all good reasons. I'd love to have tea with you and Kate also. Thanks for stopping by!

That blurb would lure even the most diehard of historical authors to take time out for a read--like me.:) I have it waiting on my Kindle and I'm looking forward to finishing edits so I can start it! barb bettis